Dr. Orth and the team behind the 3D printable microscope attachment work at the RMIT module of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP) – a $40 million AUD government initiative, bringing together a number of universities and companies from across Australia to develop new imaging technologies.

Working on the project with Dr. Orth were RMIT researchers E. R. Wilson and B. C. Gibson, and J. G. Thompson from the University of Adelaide.

Opensource science

The concept of Orth, Wilson, Gibson & Thompson’s project was to streamline the bulky equipment associated with conventional microscopes, and make it available to as many people as possible.

The team also wanted to overcome the challenges of other 3D printed mobile microscope attachments that typically require external lighting to work.

What the CNBP group have made is a simple, single-piece clip device with channels designed to redirect light from the phone’s flashlight. It can be attached to the back and sides of an iPhone 6, and fitted with a sample slide for viewing.

By making the .stl files of the device available to download for free online, the team have ensured that anyone, provided access to a FFF 3D printer, can make their own microscope clip remotely.

The 3D printed microscope clip-on with slide. Photo via RMIT/CNBP

Microscopy for everybody

In test experiments, the team have used the clip-on setup to examine live cell cultures, zooplankton, and live cattle semen, demonstrating an ability to perform both dark-field (on a dark substrate) and light-field microscopy. These will be useful in helping clinicians and other field researchers to identify and diagnose microbial conditions such as malaria and parasites.

In the future, the model could be developed to fit on all commerically available mobile phones, as Dr. Orth explains, “Ideally, a phone microscope should take advantage of the integrated flash found in nearly every modern mobile, avoiding the need for external lighting and power,”

“It should also be as compact and easy to assemble as possible. It is this design philosophy that inspired us in the development of this add-on clip.”

Beau Jackson is Senior Journalist at 3D Printing Industry. With a longstanding commitment to the site's content, she is credited with producing more articles than any other author in its history. Well-versed in the latest 3D printing research and legal/regulatory challenges, her repertoire spans aerospace, automotive, maritime, medical and creative industries. She is a keen speaker and active representative of the company at key additive manufacturing events.